Larry Shenk, Vice President of Alumni Relations, shares his notes, quotes and anecdotes from the world of baseball.

Cheers for Pirates

Thank You PittsburghOur western Pennsylvania friends knocked off the Mets this afternoon so now we trail NY by 1.5 games, one game in the loss column.

Last NightCole and Brad were outstanding and the offense produced a couple of runs that produced an ESPN national telecast win last night in San Diego.

Cole was a perfect example of what throwing strikes can produce (OK, OK, I overused that word). Of the 97 pitches he threw in eight innings, 73 were strikes. Lidge: 11 of 19 pitches were strikes.

We won two games in San Diego and on the trip, 1-0 and 2-1. A 2-5 trip isn’t want we wanted. It could have been better, but on the other side of the coin, it could have been worse.

Last night’s win certainly made the charter flight home much more pleasant. By switching to a night game for ESPN, it meant a much later departure from San Diego. The team charter touched down in Philly at 6 this morning to rising sunshine.

Last time we had a poorer west coast trip was May of 1989 (also May in 1988), a 1-8 journey through LA, SF, SD each season. That’s 1989, B.B. (Before Bloggers).

And, we’re back on ESPN this Sunday night (Dodgers at home). Yes, change your Phillies calendar from a 1:35 p.m. game to 8:05 p.m.

ESPN can change one more Phillies Sunday game and September 7 at Shea Stadium is being eyed.

Any ideas?Offense has been struggling, quite evident with 6 hits in each of the three games in San Diego.

“I stay up at night thinking about how I can get our offense going and clicking again like it was. I’m puzzled by it. I’m open to suggestions and I’ll listen to what anybody has to say. Fans, cabdrivers or President Bush or anybody,” Charlie Manuel said in Ken Mandel’s story on this site.

Minor League NotesRHP Kris Benson gave up 5 runs (4 earned) in 5.1 innings last night at Lehigh Valley. It was the first time he’s allowed more than three earned runs over his previous five starts . . . 3B Pedro Feliz was 0-3 plus a walk in a rehab start at Clearwater. He’ll play there again tonight and hopefully rejoin the Phillies on Wednesday.

Deepest SympathyOur prayers and thoughts are extended to the family of Darrin Winston, a left-handed pitcher who pitched for us in 1997 and 1998. The 42-year-old died on Saturday in Freehold, NJ, from leukemia. He is survived by his wife and six children.

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Well, since Charlie asked, I’m giving my 2 cents :o) If anyone is interested, my ideas on fixing the offense are here: http://philliesphollowers.mlblogs.com/ (article “Eighth Time Is The Charm For Hamels”).

I would also like to extened my condolences to the Winston family. It is always a tragedy to lose a loved one, but especially so young. My heart goes out to them.

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